Insufferable Attraction

SeverusxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Insufferable Attraction

Chapter 22

Two weeks later, Hermione was in Hogsmeade Village along with Luna and Daphne, the three witches having tea and pleasant pastries in Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Daphne had written both Luna and Hermione, stating that the three of them needed to spend some girl time together, especially since they were all in the Bloodline Restoration Act together. That, and she thought it a good idea to get to know Luna Lovegood as well since she did not get to in school. And to meet on neutral ground, she had suggested Madam Puddifoot's.

Hermione had thought that Daphne and Luna meeting had gone rather well, if she had to say so. Luna had greeted Daphne in a warm and welcoming hug (and shocking Daphne from the action) and congratulated her on her marriage to Harry, as well as telling her that Harry would make her happy and a fantastic husband and to continue to make him happy. Daphne in turn had congratulated Luna on her unconventional engagement to Rabastan Lestrange and wished her all the best when she eventually bonded with the man when he got out of Azkaban.

The three witches were all talking and laughing with each other, enjoying each other's company, as well as Madam Puddifoot herself coming to talk to them and welcome them back, telling them it was good to see them again. Not long after the older woman left to attend to other customers, Luna took a sip of her chamomile tea and asked Hermione, "So Hermione, how are things with you and Professor Snape?"

Caught a bit off guard by the question, Hermione answered, "Things are going well, actually. Thank you for asking, Luna."

Daphne released a small snort and said, "Saying things are 'well' is an understatement and you know it. Things are going bloody fantastic between you two."

Hermione blushed and mumbled, "Well, that too."

"So, you both have gotten over the hurdle that was the sexual tension between you two?" Luna asked. "I could feel it that day when you went to visit Rabastan with me."

"I…yes, we have. And…and the attraction between us is there, is palpable. I'm really glad we're no longer trying to ignore it."

"In other words, they're finally having sex freely now," Daphne said.

"Daphne!" Hermione admonished, a heavy blush on her cheeks while she looked around the tea shop to make sure no one else heard or was listening to their conversation.

Luna smiled and said, "I'm happy for you, Hermione. Just so you know, I was never worried when it came out that you and he were chosen for each other for this new Act. The professor and you are quite suited for each other."

The brunette shrugged and replied, "I suppose so. There are times that we still argue and he still calls me an insufferable know-it-all. Although, the way he says it now has a…I don't know, a hint of endearment, I think. It's almost like he doesn't mean it for an insult towards me anymore."

"Maybe he doesn't," Daphne said in reply. She took a sip of her own tea and asked, "If you two are finally shagging now, what about kissing? Have you two kissed yet?"

Hermione blushed deeply and nodded before saying, "Yes, but only once though, and that was because we had an argument."

"Do tell."

And Hermione did tell, proceeding to tell Daphne and Luna how she had taken the liberty to rearrange her husband's bookcase without his permission and that Severus hadn't liked that. She then told them how they ended up arguing about it, then trading jabs at one another. The brunette blushed when she recounted how Severus had told her not to say anything else to him and how she egged him on by asking if he planned on shutting her up, only for him to kiss her in response.

Both blondes were listening intently to the story, though Daphne had somewhat of a Cheshire grin on her face. Leaning towards the brunette she asked, "And how was it?"

"It was the best kiss I've ever had in my life," Hermione answered honestly.

"So, Snape is not only good in the sack with a hot body to boot, but a fantastic kisser as well. Amazing how much he hides under his dark persona. You really lucked out with him, Hermione."

Hermione covered her burning face and let out an embarrassed groan, causing her friends to giggle in response. Luna's giggles soon ceased, and she smiled serenely before saying, "I'm glad things are going well and that you two are in love, just like Rabastan and I are."

Shocked silence followed the dreamy blonde's words as both Daphne and Hermione stared at Luna, not knowing how to respond to that. Finally finding her voice Hermione said, "Severus isn't in love with me, Luna."

"Not yet, but he will be soon. He likes you so much already, it won't be long before he's fallen fully in love."

"And you know this how?" Daphne asked.

"It's obvious from how he looks at her when he thinks no one else sees. I noticed it at your bonding with Harry, and saw it again when they accompanied me to Azkaban to visit Rabastan." Luna then turned to Hermione. "The signs, as subtle as they are coming from Professor Snape, are there that he's in love with you or close to being. And you too for that fact. You are in love with him, aren't you Hermione?"

Luna's question shocked Hermione, completely rendering her speechless. She didn't know how to answer that question, didn't want to answer it because she didn't want to think on it. But because it was asked towards her, she couldn't help but think about it. Did she love Severus? She didn't think so, but she had no issue admitting to herself that she found him extremely attractive. She liked him even, liked him a lot. But love? That was an entirely different cauldron she wasn't willing or ready to look into. But she did know one thing, and that was even if Severus did like and care for her more than he would admit, he certainly didn't and wasn't in love with her. Hell, it would be a warm day in the frozen tundra before that happened.

Before Hermione could answer Luna or think more on her question, the Patronus of a stag bounded through the door of Madam Puddifoot's stopping at their table and facing Daphne. Hermione blinked and said, "Harry."

"Hello Harry Potter," Luna spoke in her usual greeting.

The stag nodded towards them in acknowledgement before turning its attention back to Daphne. It then began to speak, Harry's voice coming from blue misty animal.

Daphne, I hate to cut your time with Hermione and Luna short, but your lawyer and father are here. They want to discuss with you more about your case with Ginny, and your father is making me feel uncomfortable; he keeps giving me the evil eye. Please hurry back. See you soon.

The former Slytherin witch sighed and shook her head saying, "I've told Father several times now to leave Harry be and that he's a wonderful husband to me. I'm sorry ladies, but it seems I must run. I need to speak with my lawyer, as well as talk to Father once more about being rude to my husband. Talk to you both another time?"

"Absolutely. Until next time, Daphne," Luna replied.

Daphne blew a kiss as she stood before exiting the little tea shop. Not long after she left, Luna looked at the cute cuckoo clock on the wall and said, "It's about time for me to leave as well. I'm supposed to visit my father and have dinner with him today."

Nodding Hermione said, "Alright, well it was nice having this time together Luna. Have fun with your dad."

"Thank you, and it was nice having this time with you as well."

Luna stood and gave the brunette a hug before heading towards the door and leaving out of it, but not before turning towards her and advising her to think about what she had said. As soon as Luna was gone, Hermione sat in her seat and looked down into her teacup, still wondering about what Luna had said. Did she…was she…could she possibly be in love with Severus? That was still something big that would require more energy to think about than she was willing to give the thought at the moment.

Deciding to store those thoughts for another day, Hermione too decided to take her leave and head back home to Prince Manor. Even so, Luna's words kept reverberating around in the back of her mind.

Severus smiled as he read the letter that he had received from the Foreign Affairs and Sports Department of the Ministry. The letter stated that his international Portkey had been approved and was ready early for him and his spouse to use when they were ready. He was glad that he had requested one and that it was ready to go to Australia. Severus still had yet to tell Hermione any of this, but now that everything was approved, he planned on telling her whenever she got home.

Of course, he could just outright tell her or show her the letter and explain what it meant after the questions she was bound to ask. But he wanted to do something to let her know that this was a special surprise just for her. When he had requested the international Portkey, Hermione had told him just the week before that about her parents and how she had Obliviated them and sent them to Australia to keep them safe from Death Eaters because of the war. The brunette had confided that she planned on finding them and having their memories restored and had been in contact with the Australian Ministry of Magic for their help, but they were giving her the run around. She had expressed how she wanted to just go there herself and find them to try and undo what she had done, but didn't have any confidence in herself to attempt to undo what had been hard for her to do the first time. Severus, while thinking it was a noble and brave thing to do, did not share the lack of confidence Hermione had and was certain that she could do it. And if she couldn't, he figured he could. He was no professional mind Healer, but he knew enough to attempt to give the Grangers their memories back.

However, thinking of a way to surprise his wife with the Portkey was quickly dashed away when he heard Hermione's footsteps along the floor heading towards the den that he was currently occupying, her voice calling out, "Severus?"

"In here," he replied, cursing himself for not thinking of something sooner. Oh well, it would be fine. He had a feeling his wife would enjoy this bit of news no matter what.

The young witch stepped into the den and found her husband seated in an armchair with a piece of parchment in his hand. Smiling softly, she greeted, "Hi."

Severus nodded in return and asked, "Did you have fun with Ms. Lovegood and the new Mrs. Potter?"

A blush appeared on Hermione's cheeks and she looked off to the side saying, "You could say that. We…gossiped a bit."

Severus simply nodded. "I'm sure with Ms. Greengrass in the conversation. What was it this time? Speaking openly about someone's love life that isn't her own?"

Hermione blushed deeper and attempted to hide her face behind her curly hair, giving Severus his answer without saying anything. Severus hummed and shook his head, rolling his eyes slightly as he did. Done with that conversation, he moved on saying, "The Ministry contacted me today."

"About what?" Hermione asked, her blush fading away as she looked at her husband in confusion. Walking over to him and seating herself on the arm of the armchair, she continued asking, "The B.R.A. aren't attempting any more meddling, are they?"

"No, and if they know what's good for them, they won't any time soon. But no, that isn't it. They have contacted me regarding something I requested two weeks ago, and it has been approved."

Without further ado, the wizard handed his wife the letter, allowing her to read the bit of parchment while he waited in patient silence. He watched the emotions play out on Hermione's face, neutrality turning to confusion turning to shock and then finally elation. Looking at her husband Hermione asked, "Is this true? Did you really ask for an international Portkey to Australia?"

Severus nodded. "I did. I figured not only do we go for a bit of time away from here, but to also find your parents and restore their memories. I believe they have been away from and not knowing their daughter long enough."

Hermione gasped before tears of happiness filled her eyes, her brown eyes sparkling and looking at the older man in awe and some other unspoken emotion that Severus couldn't quiet place. As her tears spilled over onto her cheeks, Hermione dropped the letter and wrapped her arms around Severus's neck, hugging him close and as she cried into his neck. Severus, while shocked by her reaction—and the hug too, for he hadn't been hugged in years—also wasn't really surprised by it either.

Still hugging him close, Hermione said through her tears, "Oh, thank you Severus. I didn't expect this, I really didn't, but I love it all the same. Thank you so, so much."

Placing his hands on her back, he held her and replied softly, "You don't have to thank me, Hermione."

But Hermione felt she did need to thank him. She was so elated, she didn't know what to do other than feel the need to jump for joy. Severus, her husband, went out of his way to get an international Portkey to Australia and take her there to find her parents and restore their memories all for her. Knowing that he did that for her without her asking, but because he wanted to, it warmed her heart and made it fonder for the man who's arms she was wrapped in. Hermione didn't think she could ever repay him for this. Oh, she was so happy, she could just kiss Severus!

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she thought about the last time she had kissed him. It had been in the heat of the moment due to their argument. And ever since then, she had wanted to place her lips upon his once again, but neither of them had made any indication that they wanted to kiss each other. But if she was just truthful with herself, she did want to kiss her husband again. And she decided then and there that she would. Surely, that would show Severus her gratitude towards him, and maybe—just maybe—help her figure out the rest of her feelings towards the man that she called her spouse.

Pulling away from him, brown eyes looked into black for a moment before drifting down to thin, pale lips. She remembered how they'd felt on her own back during the first month of their new marriage, despite how it happened and she remembered how heavenly it had been, how her heart had beat wildly in her chest and butterflies fluttered around in her stomach. She wanted that again and knew that the man in front of her would make that happen.

Without any hesitation, Hermione pressed her lips against Severus's, kissing him sweetly as her own eyes slid shut. And just like the first time, everything she had felt erupted inside her once again, but she felt it ten times more this time around. Severus, having stiffened in shock from her kissing him, soon relaxed and closed his own eyes, returning her kiss as his hands moved down to settle onto her hips. Their lips moved together in a slow, almost sensual massage as they snogged, both of them wrapped up in the fact that it felt so good, so right to be kissing each other.

Eventually, they had to come up for air and they stared into each other's eyes, searching for something in them to help confirm what had just happened and what was going on between them. Whatever it was that they were looking for, they had found it because Hermione smiled at Severus and softly laughed as he himself let out a low chuckle before Hermione was kissing him once again.

Author's Note: Finally, Severus and Hermione kiss once again! And this time, no back peddling on Severus's part about it, lol. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more to come. XOXO, SehunsBae37.